The ‘green’ technology that is present in today’s electric cars, such as the Chevrolet Bolt, makes them not only emissions-free, but also capable of battling a hot hatch like Volkswagen Golf GTI on even terms in a straight line.

And this is not just a simple assumption, but a fact, after the two aforementioned vehicles were put through their paces by the guys at TFL.

Before checking out the actual race, let’s see some of the specs. The German hot hatch, which is in its pre-facelifted form, uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 207hp (210PS) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. At the opposite end, the quiet Chevy Bolt uses an electric powertrain that makes 200hp (203PS) and 266lb-ft (361Nm) of torque, with the latter being instantly available from zero rpm.

Thus, it’s obvious that electric vehicles have more than caught up – but don’t be so quick to write off the internal combustion engine, as automakers must fix some issues, like range anxiety, and show some progress with the necessary infrastructure before EVs become the new norm.

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